Cuddyer Already Drawing Interest

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You're probably asking yourself, "Self, why do I care about Michael Cuddyer? He's not a Giant!"

And you're right -- Cuddyer is not a Giant.

But he almost was, during 2010, when the Giants called up the Twins and inquired about trading for outfielder/first- and third baseman.

So as such, it's pretty obvious that he'll be at least a guy who's targeted by the Giants in free agency. Which makes it bad news if a lot of teams -- especially ones with big wallets -- are jumping in the mix.

See, Carlos Beltran is probably the No. 1 choice for most Giants fans when it comes to adding an outfielder who can hit the ball.

But Cuddyer is a nice consolation prize -- in just 139 games last year, he hit 20 home runs, knocked in 70 RBI, put up a .284/.346/.459 line and posted a 3.1 WAR (wins above replacement).

He made the All-Star team in 2011, and he hit 30 homers as recently as 2009, though his power numbers dipped a bit in 2010.

In short, he's an undervalued power bat in a market that features big names like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, and he'd be a fantastic signing for a Giants team that needs a bat in the lineup but is worried about keeping the purse tightened.

Which is why though he's not a Giant, it's a big-time concern that teams like the Red Sox will be wooing him with their ample piles of beer and fried chicken money.